So I am into my third week at post and things are going pretty well. As everyone says, the first 3 months are really hard, and I can see why. But I am beginning to start to settle in and things are getting easier day-by-day.
My village is considered small (although I think it is pretty large) but is located right off Togo's main road, the Rue Nationale and therefore I have plenty of access to good street food and other important services. There are many schools in Agbelouve proper and neighboring villages that are excited to begin working with me. I will begin teaching English at the CEG Agbelouve (equivalent to middle school) in January. I will also be working with a theatre club in another CEG and with peer educators at a lycee (high school equivalent) and hope to work on a long-term project with another CEG on getting a basketball court built and starting a girl's basketball team.
Of course, all of this is kind of up in the air as I am still just trying to get my bearings right now. I have been watching many classes to see what a normal class day is like and how the teachers teach here, walking around meeting and talking to people, buying things at the market (marche) on market day (Wednesday), watching soccer matches, eating fufu with my host family, attending tutoring sessions in French and local language (Eve), and just generally getting a feel for things.
All in all, things are going well and I have found there is alot to love about Togo, not the least of which being the awesome people I've met thus far. I will try my best to keep everyone posted on how things are going. Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noel)!
